Bits & Bytes, New Zealand & Australian Designer Possiblities

We are back with a few updates and a look at designers Kate might wear for the April tour of New Zealand and Australia.

We begin with an update on that tour via The New Zealand Herald: the paper ran a story this week indicating William, Kate and Prince George will start their official visit in New Zealand, ending the trip in Australia:

Australia’s incoming governor-general Peter Cosgrove met the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday ahead of officially becoming her representative in late March.

The two had a wide-ranging discussion about the much-anticipated trip to New Zealand and Australia.

“That’s going to be a very welcome visit,” General Cosgrove told reporters afterwards.  “They’ll bring with them Prince George the little one. They’ll be in Sydney and then in Canberra after their sojourn in New Zealand.”

Facebook comments indicate this was common knowledge, I have to confess to being unaware this was/is the plan.

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Just in time for the tour, there is a new royal magazine being launched in Australia.

Australian Women’s Weekly

The new title is called Royals, it comes from the publishers of Australian Women’s Weekly. They say an overwhelming response to previous special issues about Kate & William’s wedding, the Queen’s Jubilee and other events prompted their decision. An overview of the inaugural issue’s content:

The opening issue takes a look at Crown Princess Mary’s visit to Sydney and Prince Harry’s Antarctic adventure and reflects on the sweet love affair between the Queen and her lifelong Prince Charming, the Duke of Edinburgh.

As of now the new publication is planned for just two issues a year.

NewsBytes:

• Tuesday’s Telegraph ran a fascinating story chronicling some of the challenges Amanda Wakeley has encountered: “Amanda Wakeley lost her business and her name but she fought back.” The column by Caroline Roux was a good read.
• The Mirror has a piece looking at celebrities who have worn the same clothing items as Kate; Kim Kardashian in the sleeveless version of the red McQueen worn this week, Kerry Washington wearing the Temperley Titan dress, and others. I am not generally a fan of “who wore it better?” stories, but this one has a few pieces I didn’t know about.

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We move now to our continuing series of reports on notable designers Kate might wear on the April tour. Today we consider two New Zealand designers, beginning with a label Kate has worn previously, Rebecca Taylor. Below we show Kate wearing separates from the designer’s ‘sparkle tweed’ collection at a 2012 event.

SplashNews.com

Born in New Zealand, Ms. Taylor has her headquarters in New York and also shows her collections at the city’s Fashion Week. More on her background via her website:

Rebecca Taylor hails from the beaches of New Zealand. An early childhood interest in sewing and costume design sparked a fascination with the fashion industry that led her to New York City.

Feminine, modern, refined, cool… Rebecca Taylor is best known for providing the eternally-evolving modern woman a collection to complement and refine her individual sense of style.

Three designs from the Rebecca Taylor pre-fall 2014 collection.

Spring styles (from l to r): the Seamed Shift Dress ($295) in navy, Short Sleeve Jacquard Dress in black ($395), Silk Lace T Dress ($595) in navy. On the right we show the Silk Twill Top ($225) and below it, the Short Sleeve Floral Lace Top ($325) in black.

A few more pieces from the current season: Short Sleeved Embellished Top with its jeweled neckline, ($325), Sweet William Tee (no, I don’t believe it is Kate’s style, but had to show it because of the name), Embellished Crepe Tank ($295).

There are also plenty of tweed separates available.

Current styles come in both casual and dressier cuts.

Those interested in watching the Rebecca Taylor Fall 2014 show may do so by clicking here.

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Our next designer with New Zealand ties is considered by some a likely label for Kate to wear on the tour: Karen Walker.  Based in Auckland, the award-winning designer shows her collections at NY Fashion Week. More from the brand’s website:

Karen Walker is the designer behind her eponymous brand best known for collections that are original, unpretentious and always optimistic. The collections can be found in specialty shops, department stores and leading online boutiques. There are also five Karen Walker stores in New Zealand.

Below, five looks from the Fall 2014 collection. Look at these with an eye to elements that might work for Kate: a blouse, a sweater, a coat.

Karen Walker

For those wondering how the Northern/Southern Hemisphere works in fashion, this is the “Northern Hemisphere Autumn/Winter 14” collection. Three dressier styles from the Fall 2014 Collection.

Karen Walker

When looking at the totality of the designer’s work this quote from a profile in Australian Fashion Review makes sense.

“The label is me. There is no Karen Walker the person and Karen Walker the label. It’s one thing, an extension of my personality.” – Karen Walker.

From this spring’s collection.

Karen Walker

There is also a diffusion line, “Hi There from Karen Walker,” available at Myer in Australia. In the US Anthropologie is licensed to sell the line, it looks like it is only available online. Below left, the ‘Modernist dress‘ at Anthropologie, on the right, Colour & Pattern Block Print dress, and the Animal Spot Soft Peplum Dress, both at Myer.

Anthropologie/Myer Australia

Karen Walker ships to the US at no charge if your purchase totals more than $200 NZD (roughly $165 USD at today’s exchange rates), otherwise the fee is $55 (roughly $46 USD).

Ms. Walker is very well known for her eyewear. It’s style with a sense of humor, not too self-important. Beginning in March those buying glasses will receive screen-printed pouches with their eyewear, part of the Karen Walker Visible initiative:

….working with the United Nations’ ITC Ethical Fashion Initiative to create work in community groups of micro-artisans located in urban slums and disadvantaged rural areas of Kenya. The Ethical Fashion Initiative’s motto is NOT CHARITY, JUST WORK and their task is to promote sustainable business over aid dependency.

Kare Walker also does jewelry. Below, a sampling: Mini Bow Stud earrings, a Runaway Girl necklace, and Rock Garden Ring.

Karen Walker Jewelry

Not all jewelry is of the precious and semi-precious variety. Prices for the ‘Utopia’ charm bracelets and necklaces start at $40, the Heart Bangle is $45.

Karen Walker

The designer has different Facebook pages, one for the Clothing & Accessories collections, another for her Eyewear collection.

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